Regretsy’s 2nd Annual Secret Santa
Last year, I asked you to help me raise enough money to buy gifts for 100 needy kids in the Regretsy community. You responded with such enthusiasm that we were able to help 200 kids. We bought gifts for every child, shipped them on time and got a cash gift to each family in time for Christmas.
And when I say “we,” I of course mean other people, as I was drinking myself to death in Helsinki. And we all know there are no Toys ‘R Us stores in Finland, only distilleries.
Yes, two women made Regretsy’s Secret Santa happen last year: Angelina, from Santa Mail Express, and our own forum moderator, Jeni. They did it all. And the good news is, they want to do it again.
The bad news is, we got a late start this year because one of us was off dicking around with puppets, and I’m not even going to name names. There’s no point. She knows who she is.
We want to help 200 children in need of a little holiday spirit. We want to send handpicked gifts, as well as a personalized letter from Santa. But we’ve only got a week to make this happen if we want to get the gifts out in time. We need to raise as much as we can by December 10th.
IF YOU WANT TO DONATE
We won’t be using PayPal this year, which will probably surprise you, seeing how great they were last Christmas. Instead, we’re using our WePay store, which you can find here. You can donate any amount you like, and you’ll be making the holidays brighter for a child who probably wouldn’t get much otherwise.
IF YOU WANT TO SUBMIT A CHILD FOR THE SECRET SANTA PROGRAM
If you know a child in need this Christmas, submit them to forums@regretsy.com with the subject line REGRETSY SANTA SUBMISSION, and be sure to include the following information:
• Parent’s name
• Child’s name
• Child’s age
• Gifts Child would like
If more than one child is in the household, please be sure to submit this information for each child. We may not be able to find the exact gift your child would like, so be sure to include other interests that might help us in selecting gifts, such as hobbies or favorite cartoons.
ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 7th.
We will contact you on December 11th if we are able to make your Christmas wish come true.
Everyone else, go fund the hell out of Christmas morning for kids in need.
FAT, JEALOUS LOSER POWERS ACTIVATE!
December 3, 2012 at 2:05 pm
THIS is why I love April, Regretsy and this community.
THIS is why this is the only forum page on the internet I bother wasting my life on.
You are all fucking amazing and are my regular faith in humanity booster shot when I’m having a bad day. THANK YOU.
I don’t have much to donate but I’ll be promoting the hell out of this. I know we can reach that goal.
Happy Holidays / Merry Christmas to you all.
December 3, 2012 at 2:06 pm
I’m super super stoked to say that although we were in a mega pinch last year, this year I’M GIVING AND NOT RECEIVING. GO FJLs!
I am so glad we’re doing this, I bought buttloads of 50/50 tickets for a Toys for Tots funding drive last week because I wanted to “give back” this year and we didn’t have a Regretsy drive going.
December 3, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Totally my fault, I got a really late start on this. Jeni and Angelina were very persistent in getting this going, so we have them to thank. I just hope we can raise the money in time!
December 3, 2012 at 2:21 pm
You hope we can raise the money in time? It’s like you don’t even know us.
December 3, 2012 at 3:10 pm
You really think we won’t raise the money in time? Who are you? Did April get replaced by one of her own socks?
December 3, 2012 at 2:11 pm
done and done.
is Santa trying to grope me? it looks like he’s trying to grope me…
December 3, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Yes.
December 3, 2012 at 2:21 pm
YAY!!!
December 3, 2012 at 5:33 pm
It’s a Xmas miracle!
December 3, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Of course. That’s why he needs you to sit on his lap…
December 3, 2012 at 4:21 pm
No. He’s trying to grope ME, not you! He’s MY Santa, and I’ll cut a bitch who comes between me and him. You can come on the other side, okay?
December 3, 2012 at 6:52 pm
He can grope many different people in many different places simultaneously. That’s the whole point!
December 3, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Aw, yeaaahhhh! FJLs, activate!
December 3, 2012 at 2:13 pm
i threw in $25. i wish it could be more so maybe i will force people i know to match it or else.
December 3, 2012 at 3:40 pm
I will match it!
December 3, 2012 at 2:15 pm
I’m trying to send a donation, but it keeps telling me my billing information does not match the address provided???? I’ve triple checked, all the info is correct. What the hell am I doing wrong? Is it a site glitch? Never used WePay before.
December 3, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I think it’s glitchy. I had to click on my card a couple of times before it took. It kept giving me “invalid card info” messages.
December 3, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Right, I talked with a WePay rep via Live Help and she said it’s very glitchy and I have to enter my info EXACTLY has it is on my billing info, which prompted me to log into BofA and discover my billing info was out of date. When I went back to WePay to enter the out of date billing info, it said I’d tried too many times and had to wait a few hours. In the meantime, I updated my BofA info, and they say it will take 24 hours. AUGHGHGH.
December 3, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Computers bring such convenience! Don’t you just love how much computers have helped us have easy, stress-free lives? Yeah, me neither.
December 4, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Update: I got an automated phone call from BofA this morning saying change of address had gone through. Just tried to donate again, and it said my billing address did not match. So, I got on Live Help again with WePay and they suggested using the old address because card processors take a week to update. Tried old address, and it worked this time. Huh.
But either way, I have donated. Yay.
December 4, 2012 at 1:30 pm
AHG WTF?!
I just logged into my online banking and WePay charged me THREE times for the same donation amount. What the hell?
December 3, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Alright, so apparently Bank of America had on file billing information that is 2 years out of date, and I didn’t know because I only use online banking. I’ve updated it, but it will take 24 hours to go into effect. So I apparently have to wait a day to make a donation? Kind of shitty, but better than nothing.
December 3, 2012 at 2:19 pm
I’m very much a Regretsy lurker, but I made a small donation & have shared on my personal & business fb pages.
December 5, 2012 at 5:03 am
“They also serve, who only sit and lurk.”
♥♥♥
December 3, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Woo-hoo! Done and shared! A friend of mine was a recipient last year, so I know for a fact that this makes kids very, very happy (and parents too).
December 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm
It is really great that you do this.
Good luck!
December 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm
Done.
December 3, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Shared on FB. Wish I could contribute this year.
December 3, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Ha, the 10th is my birthday. I wish I could donate, but I don’t think that’s going to happen this year. Good luck!
December 3, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I’m so glad we’re doing this again this year. Thank you all, you incredibly fat jealous losers! TAKE MY MONEY!!!
December 3, 2012 at 2:44 pm
December 3, 2012 at 2:37 pm
*This* is why we’re the best damn forum around. Well, that and the snark.
December 3, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Donated! I wish I could donate more, but hopefully my drop in the bucket helps someone who needs it.
December 3, 2012 at 2:42 pm
This is wonderful for two reasons.
1) this is the first year of my life where a) one of my parents (stepdad) has a good-paying job (selling Chevs/GMCs) and my mother FINALLY has steady work (waitressing at the only BBQ restaurant on my island), so for the first time ever, my parents aren’t poor and my now-12-year-old brother will have a decent Christmas. So, I obviously won`t be submitting him to the program. WHICH LEAVES ROOM FOR THE DESERVING!
2) I finally went back to school (I’ll be 24 this month) and paid my credit card off with my extra student loan money, and can now donate with said credit card to kids/parents who actually need things! MAJOR CASE OF THE WARM FUZZIES!
December 3, 2012 at 2:46 pm
DO NOT use your credit cards to donate! I hope some other FJL’s are will chime in, but do NOT go into debt to donate for cause, no matter how good it is! Keeping yourself out of debt is more important, and other FJL’s will be able to pick up the tab. Please please please don’t use a credit card to donate!
December 3, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I only donated $10 – I can put it right back on my card from my bank account right now. Christmas presents for my family and in-laws put me in some debt, but because I don’t want any of the FJL sorority/brethren to worry, this donation is being paid off as we speak! No interest will be shed for the children!
December 3, 2012 at 2:49 pm
*whew*
December 3, 2012 at 4:32 pm
(((Hugs))) to vstorevigilante, for having all good things happening this year AND being able to donate AND paying off the credit card immediately (a GREAT habit to get into–and try to balance keeping money in your savings, where you are EARNING a little interest, versus paying off your credit card, where you are PAYING a lot of interest).
(((Hugs))) to tracibub, for giving such good advice!!! My first card was an Amex and I got into the habit of paying off my card every month, even when I got a Visa…at 21%, but I was earning–in the good old days–12% on my savings (I wasn’t itemizing, darn it, because I think credit card interest was still deductible then). Since then, I’ve had some big expenses and haven’t been able to clear the card every month, but I try–and I do cringe when I can’t.
December 5, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Advice is also a good holiday gift. Been through the student loan hellfire. Do whatever you can to avoid private loans, and consider consolidation on anything that might have a variable interest rate as soon as you graduate. Student loans are a bitch. They, currently, can never be discharged in bankruptcy, even if private. Many times, they’re a good investment, but do be as smart as possible about them. AND PAY THEM OFF AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. I’m not compromising a decent emergency fund or retirement savings (OR generous charity donations) to do so, but I’m definitely living in a crappier house than my friends and forgoing many other things to release myself from those bastards ASAP. I’m sure I’ll be happy when I pay them off at 39 (versus my friends who will be making payments until at least 45-50). It sucks now, but I’m sure I’ll live, better then than now.
December 3, 2012 at 2:48 pm
If you are submitting a name, PLEASE INCLUDE GIFT IDEAS!
December 3, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Thanks for reminding me of the anniversary of when I broke up with PayPal!!! Love you Regretsy!
December 3, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Thanks for providing these opportunities to be DIRECT, dammit. Fuck the organizations that spend half my hard-earned FJL dollars on overhead and administrative costs. This + buying practical shit for the local shelter for abused women & children are the only things that make good sense to me. OK, and a remote-control inflatable flying shark for my 21-year-old.
December 3, 2012 at 4:42 pm
Is it the flying zombie shark? Or the regular flying shark?
December 3, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Fortunately for you, none of them ever ask for socks.
December 3, 2012 at 3:01 pm
I am so very glad to see this is going on again this year!! I submitted my little sister. She is now considered too old to get gifts from the angel tree now at the age of 13. It is unfair for her to expect nothing just because she is older. We are in a very tight spot, but would much love to see both her and my little brother both with big smiling faces on Christmas. Even if we don’t get in, though, you all are wonderful for being so loving! It’s all these warm feels that make me keep coming back here. (and the 3am screaming laughter, but who’s counting) Maybe next year will be my turn to give back, too!
December 3, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Pandactyl that sucks. My family fell on hard times when I was 12 and it is amazing how people think that a kid that age is old enough to go without at Christmas. My younger brother shared his presents with me that year which still remains one of my best memories. Now when I buy gifts for kids in need in my town I insist on getting older kids because I’ve been there.
December 5, 2012 at 1:15 pm
For the third year in a row, I’m adopting a kid for giftmas from the local youth homeless shelter (they also help kids that aren’t homeless but are in bad situations and such). This year’s kid is a 17 YO boy who lives with his (presumably older) brother in their “Transitional Living Program,” where they help set up an apartment/room for rent/etc. once someone has a job but not much money. My kid’s “fun stuff” request? An alarm clock and socks. His other requests were shirts, sheets, and soap. I cried, then went out and spent a shit ton of money on school clothes, bedding (another specific request), some good-smelling (I hope) body wash, and a bookstore gift card because the kid loves to read. I actually wanted to buy him an inexpensive e-reader but they said he likely wouldn’t have any way of getting books on there for a long time.
December 5, 2012 at 9:59 pm
It depends heavily on where you live, but do check to see if your local library system has some kind of e-reader program. Here in DC, many titles are available for free on Kindles and its companion apps from the library. If that’s something you really want to give, and your local library system supports it, you might include a note that he can download books for free from the library and the link to do so.
December 3, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Yay!
I don’t have much money, but at least I was able to make a small (I’m sorry, very small) donation without having to worry about most of it being sucked up by PayPal in fees.
December 5, 2012 at 7:17 am
I like that WePay has an option to cover the processing fees, so all of your intended donation can go to the cause.
I also didn’t have a lot to donate, but I gave a little, and you know what, if every FJL gives a few bucks, we’ll reach that goal. You should not be sorry for giving what you can.
December 3, 2012 at 3:24 pm
Last year, I still had a bunch of my eBay earnings on my PayPal debit card. A couple of days after I donated, and the whole thing was in jeopardy thanks to PayPal, I was using my PayPal card to do some Christmas shopping (I was getting my money out while I still could.)
The kid at the checkout looked at my card and said, “Whoa! Did you hear how these guys screwed up contributions to a Christmas toy drive?” I told him “Yes, and I am proud to be one of those fat, jealous, loser donors!” and he high-fived me. So I got double warm feelings last time. Thanks for the opportunity to do this again!
December 3, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Yay! Shared and pimped on facebook, because I’m broke as a joke.
December 3, 2012 at 3:37 pm
I donated what my unemployed ass could afford and THOUGHT I had posted it to FB to urge others to do the same but I’m not seeing that post. Dammit!
December 3, 2012 at 3:50 pm
I have no money this year, but I posted in my facebook and will post it to my pinterest as well. I love all you FJLs and I’m proud to be one of you.
December 3, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Why does stinking chrome not let me go to Wepay? It’s supposed to be because of something with the site’s certificate, but unlike previous cases it doesn’t give me the option to go on.
So yes, in the past I’ve used firefox for Wepay, but maybe we have ITFJLs in here and they can help with this…
December 3, 2012 at 4:24 pm
I use Chrome and haven’t had those problems with WePay. It’s a head-scratcher!
December 3, 2012 at 4:30 pm
Wait. Is this HKpril posting?
zomg.
Regretsy Christmas fundraiser and april posting all in one day!
This makes my lady bits tingle with happiness.
*tackle hugs and squishes April*
December 3, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Thank you, Regretsy! My blackened heart might just grow three sizes today!
December 3, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Going now to contribute.
December 3, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I wonder how PayPal is going to try to fuck it up this year. I know, we aren’t using PayPal this time. But just because we aren’t using them doesn’t mean they won’t try to screw some children at Christmas.
December 3, 2012 at 6:57 pm
For every $100 collected, PayPal pees on a puppy.
December 3, 2012 at 6:00 pm
Donating to this cause will probably be the only worthwhile thing I do all season.
December 3, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Once again I am way too pore to donate, but as always I shall pimp this like a corner mantle elf all over the Yuletied-internets.*
*yes, I know what I spelled.
December 3, 2012 at 6:36 pm
I’m so glad to see this again this year! HKpril, you are spoiling us with your Sock puppet theatre and Secret Santa
(huge props to the team behind this) Just as soon as my bill is paid tomorrow and I know what I have left I’ll donate what I can.
Love FJLs, live CF4L <3
December 3, 2012 at 6:43 pm
I just want to say that the ad at the top of my browser right now is for PayPal.
December 3, 2012 at 7:39 pm
If you click on it, does that mean it costs them money?!
December 3, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Probably yes, which is kind of funny. I only wonder if its a general placement chosen by the advertiser or deliberately targeting here.
December 4, 2012 at 9:22 am
Probably keyword activated. Because Paypal is mentioned in the post.
December 3, 2012 at 8:38 pm
I don’t have any money to give but I would be willing to donate some gifts. Will you please email me at kawaiibuddies@gmail.com or tell me where I should email to? This is the sort of stuff I am talking about:
http://www.kawaiibuddies.com
Thanks!
December 3, 2012 at 9:08 pm
loving those broccoli studs haha!
December 4, 2012 at 10:57 am
omg those are so cute! xD My little sister would be all over that. She especially loves poptarts. Love it!!
December 5, 2012 at 7:20 am
Those are awesome! Little girls would love them! (And I would rock the hell out of them myself!)
December 3, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I have fallen back into lurker status…mostly on fb. So VERY glad this is going to happen again!!! And payday is Friday, which give me time to have actual money.
December 3, 2012 at 8:44 pm
YAY! FJLs are truly awesome people.
Donating this weekend after payday.
December 3, 2012 at 8:47 pm
I love all you FJLs so fucking much, I just have to say it. We’re strapped here this Christmas, I am knitting most of my presents, but my little boy is going to have plenty of toys under the tree from us and our families. The least I can do is toss in a little bit to help some other child have that same joy.
December 3, 2012 at 9:19 pm
This is such a wonderful thing. You awesome FJL’s send my niece a wonderfully thoughtful gift, and my sister enough to help her through as well. They’re in a better spot this year.
And I’m reporting for FJL duty. donated. Thank you so very much, for all that you do.
December 3, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I also love that WePay gives the option for me to cover the processing fees on the donation!
December 3, 2012 at 10:21 pm
If there’s any cash left at the end of this week, I’ll put in what I can. Seriously, nothing makes me happier than giving gifts…
December 3, 2012 at 11:04 pm
I put a drop in the bucket! And I was absolutely amazed…chrome, new account, (relatively) new card, and it all worked on the second try!
December 4, 2012 at 12:05 am
i wasn’t able to donate much since i’m having a hard enough time giving my two little ones a decent christmas myself, but anything helps, right? i am so glad to be seeing this happen again!
December 4, 2012 at 7:31 am
woooohooooo!!! I was wishing for this!!
Secret Santa helped my little girl have such an awesome Christmas last year! our circumstances have changed and I’m able to help someone else this year, we are both SOOOOOO happy!! Bean was asking, “can I be a Secret Santa this year?!” she is so excited to be part of the giving. please consider including your kids in the giving process, even little ones can understand donations, and press the “submit” button 
*Kermit flails*
December 4, 2012 at 10:20 am
Be careful. I used a debit card, and WePay said they couldn’t process because my address didn’t match. So I started over and used my bank account directly. This morning, I find my donation was charged to both accounts! Fortunately, I’m ok with a double contribution, because it’s still a wonderful endeavor. But when it says it can’t process, wait a few minutes and check if it really went through.
December 4, 2012 at 10:22 am
I done did it.
December 4, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Glad to see you guys are doing this again this year. I couldn’t donate last year, but the hubs and I are in a good enough place this year that I can. Good luck reaching your goal!
December 4, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Hi everyone,
We are so, so stoked to be a part of this again! I have to admit that any pestering on my part was spurred by my 19 year old grumpy old man of a kid asking me repeatedly if I had contacted April and if we were doing Santa letters this year. So any pestering April got on my part was just to shut my kid up! (He rolls his eyes and asks “Really?”)
The workshop is set up and ready to go! Thanks to those who donated and shared the link, so happy we are doing Christmas again.
Angelia
December 5, 2012 at 5:17 am
All those little donations I used to make to the Salvation Army on my way out of stores really added up over the season. But this year that dough is going to Secret Santa because I’ll trust my donations to the whory drunks at Regretsy over a clot of conservative homophobes any time.
December 6, 2012 at 2:19 am
I have never been so flattered to be called a whory drunk in all my life.
December 6, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I’m in for $50. I’m so glad we’re doing this again. I usually try to do some kind of charity thing for Christmas every year (in addition to whatever impulse donations we make the rest of the time) but I always forget about the angel tree until it’s already picked over. I just like the more personal aspect of this kind of thing where I probably sort of online know some of the people we’re helping and I get to see some of the results. Thanks April and Grimmy!
December 9, 2012 at 5:30 pm
I couldn’t afford much, but I gave a little! Big thanks to all y’all for being so amazingly wonderful.